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5 X 10 Trailer Questions

12-29-2008, 12:38 PM

Hello, I am new to this forum and I have some questions about a trailer I am planning on building. I am going to build a 5X10 trailer. (3500lb torsion, 14" wheels, steel mesh floor) I would like this trailer to be rigid and fairly heavy duty. It is going to be used to haul everything from ATV's to heavy firewood loads. My question is about the materials I plan to use. Instead of the flimsy angle iron most are constructed of, I am thinking of using medium gauge 1" square tube. (Or 3/4") Any ideas or suggestions.

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I am a fairly experienced welder. I have done a lot of research. While looking at other factory built trailers made with angle, I stepped on the front corner of the trailer and the opposite back corner raised. They are flimsy to say the least. I want some rigidity. Is small square tube really that unreasonable for this project? Even if it was light in gauge. I just cannot figure out why angle is so popular for trailer building other than the convenience that it provides when using 2X boards as flooring. (Which i am not using)

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Angle is cheap in price and flimizy, thats what makes it cheap! i agree with sundown, nothing less than 2x2x3/16, i wouldnt even be afraid to use 1/4" wall, for a 3500lb axle trailer you need it to be strong, also you may need brakes on a trailer with that axle, and im sure your smart enough but when you clamp the coupler on to the ball be SURE to put a pin or lock through the coupler catch, i can not beleieve how many idiots dont! it drives me nuts! if people dont care about there lives atleast care about the people driving around them....anyhow sorry for the rant! im sure others notice this also?? moral of the story? no matter how you do it make sure its SAFE!!

TB302
Dynasty 200dx
Hobart beta-mig 250
Hobart Handler 140

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I just built a 14ft enclosed tandem 3500 with brakes. I followed the plans from local trailer mfg. The side runs are 2x4x.120. Floor members are
2x2x.095 16 inch o/c. A frame hitch is 2x4x.120 and connects to several floor members and the side runs. It also has a 3rd member down the middle
2x4x.120. It pulls great. Keep it all square.

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The rolled shapes do have some weak spots in them sometimes. We have even got some 1 1/2" square tube that had splits on the radius. Stay away from the formed sheetmetal channel and angle too. I would consider some 2" x 3" or 2" x 4" channel 1/8" minumum. Some mass produced trailers use this. Really you would be much better off with 3/16". Using 1" square tube for a frame or even a cross member will come back to haunt you. 1" 14g square tube will probably be ok for sides or a top rail.

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Hello, I am new to this forum and I have some questions about a trailer I am planning on building. I am going to build a 5X10 trailer. (3500lb torsion, 14" wheels, steel mesh floor) I would like this trailer to be rigid and fairly heavy duty. It is going to be used to haul everything from ATV's to heavy firewood loads. My question is about the materials I plan to use. Instead of the flimsy angle iron most are constructed of, I am thinking of using medium gauge 1" square tube. (Or 3/4") Any ideas or suggestions.

I will be using a Miller 251 Wirefeed Welder

I have a couple of questions for ya before I can help ya.

Why a torsion axle on this type of trailer?
Are you making it a flat deck or will it have side rails.
Any particular reason for using expanded metal (mesh) as a deck
Will it have a tailgate or ramp gate attached to it?

The materials you have outlined for the project will be for extremely light duty use with maybe a couple hundred lbs. max payload.

Give me some more details and background of it's intended uses and I may be able to help you better.

If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!

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Why a torsion axle on this type of trailer?
Are you making it a flat deck or will it have side rails.
Any particular reason for using expanded metal (mesh) as a deck
Will it have a tailgate or ramp gate attached to it?

The materials you have outlined for the project will be for extremely light duty use with maybe a couple hundred lbs. max payload.

Give me some more details and background of it's intended uses and I may be able to help you better.

3500 Torsion due to the fact that I have one sitting here and they are extremely simple and need very little maintenance.

It will have 1' side rails.
Mesh due to storing wood on it until burned. (Need water to drain through if it gets through the tarp)

No tailgate. Research has shown that a mesh tailgate puts almost as much resistance in the wind as a solid sheet of plywood standing up on the back of your trailer.

"A couple hundred of pounds?" I plan on using 2X4 steel to run the entire legnth for the hitch. My plans call for about 120' legnth of whatever steel I decide to use. Remember folks... This is gonna be a 5X10' Trailer, its not big.

I plan on using it for wood, 1 ATV (800 lbs), and various other uses. (I also have a tandem 18' flatbed and a 28' triple gooseneck for real heavy haulin)

Thanks

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Not trying to start a pissin' match here but I believe the OP is beginning to sorta match the trend I began noticing here a LOT more
First we come on and ask a (loaded) question acting like a complete newbie involving using materials and methods contrary to traditional.
When OP feels that his/her intelligence/experience is in question suddenly said newbie becomes very experienced and does what they asked advice about anyways!!

Dude I can tell you right now I don't care what kind of trailer you have been pulling the one you are describing constructing will be a POS

The reason the trailers you looked at flexed is because of the shape not the material. When used correctly angle is the best material for many trailers and when turned in various directions can be extremely durable.
Whether you like it or not your trailer is gonna flex. If you build anything out of 1" sq tube it will be flimsy. Even the side rails carry a load when attatched.
And a 5x10 trailer can haul OVER A CORD!!!! Thats over the axle capacity you have and probably more than the floor can handle without getting all bent up.
I would suggest you look for a good set of trailer plans and follow them closely and you will learn a lot. Pulling trailers doesn't mean you know squat about building them anymore than driving cars makes you a automaker either.
Sorry but if you wait six months and come back and read this thread you will see that I am right...I go back and read mine and man this site has changed me for the better, and if you heed the advice of several minds instead of your own stubborn one you could improve your skills and abilities as well.

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I like how a guy cant even ask a question without getting negative comments back. I just wanted some opinions, which I got along with crappy attitudes. I didnt say that I am a pro builder because I pull trailers, did I? I was just answering a question. Stating what I am going to use the trailer for, and also stating that I will not pull anything too heavy. It seems that some people cannot read a thread and keep their mouths shut. Does it make you feel more secure about yourself ripping on "newbies?" Hope so.

Anyway, thanks for the input and aiding in my research. Unfortunately due to bad experiences on this forum ALREADY I will probably not be back. In the future, people should try and keep posts that do not help to themselves and maybe more people will use this forum for information.

Thank you to those of you who helped.

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FusionKing, Thank you for not making me do all that typing, you have expressed my feelings exactly.

Some of the forum members may have noticed that I have been kinda slow in giving out advice to new members wanting to know how to build a trailer here lately. I have personally built more than 640 trailers and even though I don't know it all (or ever will), I think I am more than qualified to answer some basic questions with out constantly being second guessed by the OP or others who have built one or maybe two trailers in their lifetime.

I say let the "smart" people build it their way and then when it comes apart going down the highway because it was under built and loaded well over the rated capacities we let them take the responsibilities for the death and injuries to the innocent people that just happen to be traveling on the same road as the "smart" guy.

From now on I think I will only answer questions or give advice to the "stupid" people who are smart enough to ask the questions and heed the advice given by myself and the many other knowledgeable members of the several forums that I frequent.

If necessity is the Mother of Invention, I must be the Father of Desperation!

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I am new to this site. The first thing I see when searching for boat trailer ideas are these negative posts towards someone who is asking for help. Well, you know im not asking any questions or contributing any knowledge on this site. I will stick to Hobarts forums.